Overview
My primary research interest is in conduct and methodology of large randomized clinical trials in heart disease. I have led a number of large international clinical studies in heart attacks, unstable angina, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. I have lead clinical studies of blood thinners and coronary intervention for heart attacks, stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, and prevention of heart attack for patients with coronary artery disease. I have been co-director of the Reperfusion of Acute MI in Carolina Emergency Departments (RACE) project that is a North Carolina state-wide program to improve reperfusion care for acute myocardial infarction. I serve as the Chairman of the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline program to improve heart attack care nationally as well as the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline committee for heart attack care. I have also studied the effects of genetic variation on heart disease. I work with the National Institute of Health and the Federal Drug Administration on evaluation of heart disease and of new drugs. I have developed tools to predict which patients are at risk for death, heart attack, and need for hospitalization.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Fred Cobb, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Medicine
·
2024 - Present
Medicine, Cardiology,
Medicine
Professor of Medicine
·
2007 - Present
Medicine, Cardiology,
Medicine
Professor in the School of Nursing
·
2015 - Present
School of Nursing
Member in the Duke Clinical Research Institute
·
1988 - Present
Duke Clinical Research Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Design and rationale of RECOVER-AUTONOMIC: A randomized platform trial evaluating interventions for Long COVID postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
Journal Article Am Heart J · June 2026 BACKGROUND: Post‑acute sequelae of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection (Long COVID) affect a substantial proportion of individuals, and among the many reported symptom clusters, autonomic dysfunction, particularly postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), represe ... Full text Link to item CiteCardiovascular Trials in Hemodialysis
Journal Article Journal of the American College of Cardiology · April 21, 2026 Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in patients receiving hemodialysis and is the leading cause of mortality in this population. Cardiovascular randomized clinical trials frequently exclude patients with kidney failure or on hemodialysis for a ... Full text CiteLeft Atrial Appendage Closure or Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation.
Journal Article N Engl J Med · March 28, 2026 BACKGROUND: For patients with atrial fibrillation, the use of oral anticoagulant therapy to prevent stroke is limited by the risk of bleeding. Left atrial appendage closure is considered for patients who are unsuitable candidates for long-term anticoagulat ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
KARDIA-6 CVOT SUA
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals · 2025 - 2031Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) - NHLBI
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2018 - 2028MarTide DMC
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Amgen, Inc. · 2025 - 2027View All Grants
Education
University of Connecticut ·
1984
M.D.